Abstract

The Round Rock AmeriCorps program on the Navajo Nation in Arizona has developed useful strategies for exposing their members to higher education during their service term and helping them use their education awards upon completion. In this effective practice, strategies to assist AmeriCorps members to use their education awards are outlined, including offering college credit for training and exposing members to higher education and professional fields. Submitted by ACKCO, Inc., the training and technical assistance provider for tribal programs.

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Issue

Although no comprehensive study has been done yet, some AmeriCorps programs have noticed that many of their former members have not utilized their education awards. Oftentimes programs are so busy during the service year that they have little time to address the higher education goals of their members. Many programs also operate in isolated rural locales, or other areas where there are few institutions of higher education.

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Action

According to ACKCO, Inc., steps to take to integrate the larger issue of higher education during the term of service include:

• Partner with your local tribal or community college to gain college credit for AmeriCorps member training. The Round Rock AmeriCorps program developed a course called "Indian Communities in Action" that was taught to all members by the program director. Dine Community College approved college credit for all members who successfully completed the course. This gave the members a taste of what college-level course work was like and a head start with credits for when they finished their term of service. An added benefit was the education they received. Their service experience was greatly enhanced by learning about local traditions of service and community action.
• Plan "field trips" to your state university, tribal college or other institutions so the members can familiarize themselves with campus life.
• Attend/organize a local job/college fair to expose members to post-service options. Don't forget to invite former AmeriCorps members that may not have used their awards.
• Include in your member orientation time to assist members in writing "personal development plans." Have ongoing "in-service" trainings or speakers from careers that the members may be interested in pursuing. Remember, that the education award can be used at vocational schools as well. Include sessions on resume writing and completing college and financial aid applications as part of your ongoing member-training plan.
• Invite former AmeriCorps members who are now using the education awards to talk to current members about their experiences.

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Outcome

The Round Rock program has increased the amount of college credit their members have earned and demystified the college experience. All of their members can now claim college credit, and many have gone on to use their educational awards at institutions of higher education. Two former Round Rock AmeriCorps members attending Dine Community College were invited by the White House to attend President Clinton's 2000 State of the Union Address based on their service experience and their subsequent enrollment as students in a Dine teacher training program.

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Posted On

May 25, 2001

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Related Practices

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Topic Areas

• Tribal services
• Development
• AmeriCorps
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• Member
• ACKCO
• Program management

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